Category: Pet Care

Imogene L. Cathey serves as Seton Hill University’s first in-house general counsel. In addition to the law, Imogene Cathey is passionate about dogs.

Many dog owners now have their pets microchipped in case the dog should become lost or stolen. This FAQ will help illuminate the technology, process, and reasoning behind microchipping pets.

Question: What is a microchip as it pertains to pets?

Answer: A pet microchip is a tiny electronic chip inside a protective glass casing. The chip is no bigger than a grain of rice. The microchip contains an RFID tag used to identify the pet and to whom it belongs.

Q: How will a microchip help find my lost dog?

A: When you have a microchip implanted between your dog’s shoulder blades, you register your name, address, and telephone number into a database. When the dog is found and scanned, your information will appear, and the dog’s rescuer will know where to return your pet.

Q: Isn’t an ID tag enough?

A: Usually an ID tag is sufficient to identify a lost dog, but if the tag gets damaged or comes off, it is of no use. A microchip implanted under a dog’s skin has no chance of getting lost.

Q: Does the microchip hurt my dog?

A: Microchipping hurts your dog no more than getting a vaccination. The process requires no anesthesia or surgery and can be completed in a routine visit to your dog’s vet.